My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding

is so

lifted a knife and a paper plate, preparing to cut into the cake for the

Rae.” Julian stopped her and pulled some candles out of a box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday.

which happened to be a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

sing the ‘Happy

her eyes and

Rachel must blow out

that

‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a very young voice piped up beside

who wasn’t even at table height

wish. After

you!”

off, dabbing icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed

of the streetlamp, Rachel finally smiled for the first time

don’t need to be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is

I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s

up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s

and headed

she was inside her apartment and about to

a loud slam, the door was propped open by a large

glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like scar on

on business?

the house and

you’ve been getting

she took two steps back.

he stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

unmelting icebergs as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want

step he approached her, forcing her

idea

staggered after him